Saturday’s card doesn’t boast the title bout of this past year’s UFC 144 event, which saw the lightweight belt shift from Frankie Edgar to Benson Henderson. But it perhaps brings more star power with Silva, whose 3-5 run since his transfer from PRIDE to the UFC hasn’t diminished his appeal to most fans. And given the dearth of high-profile events in Japan, which has seen PRIDE imitators fizzle, the event’s novelty should help its draw.

Business-wise, the UFC’s international trade is shifting. UFC 144 and UFC 147 were the two most recent events outside of North America to air on pay-per-view. As of late, the promotion has shifted those cards to FOX affiliates FX and FUEL TV, which has helped the organization meet broadcast obligations to the network while expanding its fanbase. License fees from international partners erase the burden to pack the house, and local draws help partners sell the event. PPV draws, who in recent years pushed back because of difficult travel schedules and lower buyrates for international events, aren’t necessary expenses. It’s a far more streamlined operation.

For Silva, the trip is no bother. The Brazilian’s affinity for Japan is well known, and fighting Stann at 205 pounds, where he doesn’t have to endure a severe weight cut while traveling, is a perk. And for Stann, who’s looking to kickstart perhaps one last run at the middleweight title with a (light-heavyweight) win over a marquee name, it’s a big opportunity.

Silva, who recently said his days at middleweight could be over, is no longer the type of fighter who completely throws caution to the wind. For one, the damage he’s taken over years of competition have slowed his reaction time and ability to go hard for three rounds. But after several knockout losses, he’s putting game plans into play and measuring his aggression, as he did in recent fights against Cung Le and Rich Franklin. He still has knockout power, of course, but he’s not charging in recklessly unless he has an opponent hurt.

Stann still has to be concerned about big punches, but he may have the advantage in speed when the two begin to exchange. He’s been through fewer MMA wars, of course, and that could pay dividends if he decides to match Silva’s aggressiveness or look for counters. He’s also made strides in wrestling and counter-wrestling, so if Silva tries to take the fight down, Stann could make it very difficult.

These two, however, more than likely are going to stand for the majority of the bout, barring a big shot that grounds one or the other. That’s always a distinct possibility for Silva, whose chin is not what it once was. Stann, who’s already knocked out a big puncher in Chris Leben (who later knocked out Silva), is a distinct favorite leading into the bout. Betting lines give him a 70 percent chance of winning the fight.

Other main-card bouts

Mark Hunt (8-7 MMA, 3-1 UFC) vs. Stefan Struve (25-5 MMA, 9-3 UFC): Both Hunt and Struve are heavyweights on a roll. Hunt has earned three consecutive wins since a debut loss to Sean McCorkle, and Struve has won four straight since a KO loss to Travis Browne that briefly halted his title run. The two originally were scheduled to meet on an all-heavyweights UFC 146 main card, but an injury to Hunt delayed the fight. Struve has stated his belief that the winner of the bout should get a title shot, though he’ll need to fight at least one marquee opponent before the UFC gives him the opportunity. Hunt may need even more than that, as he has yet to be tested by a top 5 heavyweight. Both could be in for a long wait as current heavyweight champ Cain Velasquez rematches Antonio Silva at UFC 160, and former champ Junior dos Santos takes on Alistair Overeem in the co-headliner.

For Struve, the matchup presents another stiff test in an area in which he’s historically struggled: controlling the distance. In several bouts, the 6-foot-11 fighter has allowed shorter opponents to get far too close to do damage. The most notable example of that was in his fight with Roy Nelson, where he was clubbed with an overhand right and knocked out in 39 seconds. Hunt is a far more technical striker than Nelson, and arguably possesses more power. If Struve can’t use his jab and keep distance, he could be staring up at the lights. On the other hand, if he can quickly close distance and get the fight to the ground, he has a distinct advantage against the former K-1 fighter, who is nowhere near the threat on the ground as he is on the feet.

For Hunt, it’s a matter of keeping pressure against Struve and cutting him off inside the cage. Although he’s vastly improved on the mat, it remains to be seen whether he’ll be able to do much more than survive if the fight goes to the ground. That might, in fact, be enough to seize momentum from his taller opponent, but his best chance at winning is on his feet.

Takanori Gomi (34-8 MMA, 3-3 UFC) vs. Diego Sanchez (23-5 MMA, 12-5 UFC): Sanchez, who unsuccessfully vied for the lightweight belt in 2009 against then-champ B.J. Penn, returns to the 155-pound division after a decision loss to Jake Ellenberger halted a run at the welterweight belt. Gomi aims to extend his winning streak to three after a 1-3 start to his tenure with the UFC. The former PRIDE champ has picked up recent victories over Eiji Mitsuoka and Mac Danzig, and a win over Sanchez could further boost his stock, though talk of a title shot is premature.

As a seasoned ground-and-pound and submission fighter, Sanchez presents an interesting stylistic problem for Gomi, whose boxing-heavy standup is balanced by a strong top game on the mat. Not only that, but “The Ultimate Fighter 1″ winner is relentless against opponents, especially in later rounds, where Gomi historically has struggled. It’s also near-impossible to stop Sanchez, who’s taken savage beatings from Penn and Martin Kampmann. So Gomi has to either wrestle his way to a decision or find Sanchez’s chin. Otherwise, he could be in for a long night.

Hector Lombard (32-3-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) vs. Yushin Okami (28-7 MMA, 12-4 UFC): This middleweight fight is Lombard’s chance to break into the top 10 of the division following a lackluster loss to Tim Boetsch and a knockout of Rousimar Palhares in his most recent fight. For Okami, it’s a chance to derail another contender, as he did recently against Alan Belcher. For the ex-Bellator champ, who boasts 18 career knockouts, it’s a matter of getting distance to fire off his heavy punches against Okami, who will attempt to stuff him against the cage and take him down. If Lombard is able to assert his dominance early, Okami could wilt, as he did against Boetsch one year ago when the UFC most recently visited Japan. Okami, though, may play it safe and go straight for the takedown.

Mizuto Hirota (14-5-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) vs. Rani Yahya (17-7 MMA, 2-1 UFC): Featherweight submission specialist Yahya looks to do his usual to Strikeforce vet Hirota, who drops to 145 pounds after he outstruck Pat Healy but lagged in the clinch during a recent decision loss. That position should provide a springboard for Yahya, whose standup game is vastly improved but still lags behind his ground skills. Hirota’s best chance is to keep this one on the feet.

Dong Hyun Kim (16-2-1 MMA, 7-2 UFC) vs. Siyar Bahadurzada (21-4-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC): Welterweight up-and-comer Bahadurzada, who made quite an impression in his octagon debut with a one-punch KO of Paulo Thiago, gets a steep step up in competition against Kim, who’s put in the spoiler role. Kim’s grappling should present the biggest test for Bahadurzada, who’s twice fallen short by submission. The Afghan native is likely to sprawl and brawl as his opponent sets up takedowns.